A careers fair has been hailed a success as the next generation of bankers, IT specialists, inventors and managers chatted to potential employers about their future.

The Wokingham Schools Career Fair last Thursday, October 6, saw hundreds of pupils head to Loddon Valley Leisure Centre in Lower Earley to get advice from a vast array of companies.

Business giants such as John Lewis, Microsoft, Barclays, Glaxo Smith Kline, Thales, Deloitte and Marks & Spencer had stalls lined up alongside those with representatives from emergency services to chat to young people about their future.

Training, further education, apprenticeships and public service advisors were also present to give young people lots of ideas for their future.

This is the second year of the fair and there is already talk of repeating the event next year after good feedback from companies and young people.

Councillor Rob Stanton, executive member for education services, said: “It went very well. There were hundreds of children there when I paid a visit.

“All the schools have supported it, which is great, and I was impressed with the number of companies, who all said they were pleased to be there.

“It is something we think has gone very well and it is something we may like to grow in the future.

“The Barclays stand was very busy — it seems all the young people want to be bankers.”

During the day the fair was open to children from Year Nine, who were transported to the venue from secondary schools across the borough.

Later that day the fair was open to all young people and their parents in the borough.

Cllr Stanton said: “It’s good the young people are thinking about their future in the world of work. There is a lot of criticism from employers saying education doesn’t get them ready for work and kids saying places do not support them once they get there.

“This is an attempt to bridge the gap. The youngsters get to go out and talk to employers as adults.”